Integrated Antenna and Electrostatic Discharge Protection

ABSTRACT

A mobile communications device having an antenna partly formed from an electrostatic discharge shield covering a microphone. The antenna includes a radiator arm extending from the electrostatic discharge shield and includes a feed element connecting the electrostatic discharge shield to a signal trace. To the extent the microphone employs an acoustic tube to form an acoustic pathway between the device casing and the microphone, the radiator arm of the antenna may be arranged over the acoustic tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/533,119, filed Jul. 31, 2009, the contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present application generally relates to an antenna and, inparticular, to an antenna integrated with an electrostatic dischargeprotection shield and devices that include an antenna integrated with anelectrostatic discharge protection shield.

BACKGROUND

As consumer electronics devices become more compact and achieve greaterfunctionality, it has become increasingly difficult to arrange theinterior components to realize higher density. This is especially sowith wireless communications devices, including handheld devices,personal digital assistants, mobile smartphones, etc., where the devicesare increasingly compact, yet include a greater number of components andfeatures than ever before. Many such devices now include keyboards,cameras, trackballs, display screens (ordinary or touchscreen), memorycards, speakers, microphones, I/O jacks, and multiple antennas, forcellular, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth®, GPS, and other radio frequencycommunications. This has made the configuration of the componentschallenging and puts circuit board space at a premium.

It would be advantageous to provide for an electronic device having anew configuration of components that permits greater density.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanyingdrawings which show example embodiments of the present application, andin which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of an antenna integrated withESD protection;

FIG. 2 shows a top planar view of the antenna of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the antenna of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the antenna of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of an acousticshield for use with the microphone;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the antenna;

FIGS. 7 through 11 show additional example embodiments of the antenna;and

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a handheld electronic deviceincorporating the antenna.

Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures todenote similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present application describes an antenna partly formed from theelectrostatic discharge shield covering a microphone in an electronicdevice. By exploiting the presence of the electrostatic discharge shieldand using it as the shorting element in the antenna, space is saved.Moreover, to the extent the microphone employs an acoustic tube to forman acoustic pathway between the device casing and the microphone, theradiator arm of the antenna integrally formed with the electrostaticdischarge shield may be arranged over the acoustic tube, which resultsin an efficient arrangement of elements.

In one aspect, the present application describes a handheld electronicdevice. The device includes a substrate having a ground plane and anantenna signal trace; a microphone mounted to the substrate; a metallicshield disposed over the microphone and being connected to the groundplane; and a radio frequency antenna formed in part from the metallicshield and having at least one radiator arm connected to the metallicshield. The antenna includes a feed point connected to the antennasignal trace.

In another aspect, the present application describes a mobilecommunications device. The device includes a device casing having anacoustic microphone opening; a substrate within the device casing, thesubstrate having an electrical ground and a signal trace; a microphonemounted to the substrate; an electrostatic discharge shield disposedover the microphone and connected to the electrical ground, theelectrostatic discharge shield defining an acoustic port; and an antennahaving a radiator arm and a feed element both connected to theelectrostatic discharge shield, and wherein the feed element is furtherconnected to the signal trace.

Many electronics devices include an antenna for radio frequencycommunications, including mobile devices, laptop computers, desktopcomputers, smartphones, personal digital assistants, and many other suchdevices. Many of these devices also include a microphone that functionsto receive audio input and convert the audio to electrical signals thatare processed by the device. In many cases, the microphone serves topermit voice communications, such as in a mobile telephone and otherdevices configured for wireless communications.

Microphones are transducers that require exposure to the environment inorder to receive acoustic signals. The environment can also have adetrimental impact on microphones, as they become exposed toenvironmental hazards such as human liquids or oils. Accordingly, insome cases microphones are encased in a sealed rubber covering, exceptfor an opening (i.e. a port or hole) through which acoustic waves are tobe received. A gasket or “rubber boots” may be used to seal the port orhole to the exterior casing of the electronic device.

Microphones and their associated coder/decoder (CODEC) integratedcircuits (ICs) are also vulnerable to electrostatic discharge (ESD).Techniques that have been developed for protecting microphones fromelectrostatic discharge include covering the microphone (except theacoustic opening/port) with a grounded casing or shield. Alternativelyor additionally, transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes may be addedto the microphone circuit to absorb ESD events. Adding TVS diodes can becostly and may negatively impact the performance of the audio circuits.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows a side view of oneembodiment of an antenna 10 integrated with ESD protection. The antenna10 is formed partly with an ESD shield (generally 14) over a microphone12. The microphone 12 is illustrated in phantom lines. The microphone 12is mounted or connected to a printed circuit board 16 or othersubstrate. In this application, the term “substrate” is intended toencompass printed circuit boards and any other such substrate on whichelectrical components may be assembled and interconnected to form anelectronic device. The printed circuit board 16 includes a groundconnection or plane (not illustrated). The microphone 12 is connected tosuitable audio circuitry and a CODEC IC for receiving and processingsignals from the microphone 12. In one embodiment, the microphone 12 isan Electret Condenser Microphone (ECM), however in other embodimentsother types of microphones may be used.

A top plan view of the antenna 10 is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows afront view of the antenna 10, and FIG. 4 shows a perspective view.

The microphone 12 is protected from ESD events by the ESD shield 14. TheESD shield 14 is a metal covering or casing connected to a ground planeor trace on the circuit board 16. In FIGS. 1-4 the microphone 12 isshown as a cylindrical element for ease of illustration. Those skilledin the art will appreciate that the microphone 12 is not necessarilycylindrical and is not necessarily arranged on the circuit board 16 inthe manner illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

The ESD shield 14 generally covers the microphone 12, and, in theillustrated embodiment, has a top section 20, and side sections 22, 24.At the front of the ESD shield 14, the side sections 22, 24 areseparated to define an acoustic opening or port 26 through which themicrophone 12 may receive acoustic waves. The interior of the ESD shield14 creates an acoustic cavity. At least one of the side sections 22, 24is connected to electrical ground. For example, one or both of the sidesections 22, 24 may be directly connected to a ground plane on or withinthe printed circuit board 16 or substrate to which the microphone 12 ismounted. Because the ESD shield 14 is grounded, it protects themicrophone 12 from spurious ESD events and from electromagneticinterference. In many embodiments, this may eliminate the need for TVSdiode protection, which may reduce the cost associated with themicrophone 12.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a perspective view of anexample embodiment of an acoustic shield 30 for use with the microphone12. The acoustic shield 30 is intended to shield the microphone 12 fromunwanted acoustic interference and/or reflections but permit desiredvoice range acoustic waves to be received through the acoustic port 26.

The acoustic shield 30 includes a non-metal acoustic tube 32 forconnecting the acoustic port 26 to the casing of the electronic device(not shown). The acoustic tube 32 is formed from rubber or othersuitable material. The acoustic tube 32 provides a pathway 34 foracoustic waves to travel from a port or opening in the exterior casingof the device to the acoustic port 26 in the ESD shield 14. Although thetube 32 is straight in many embodiments, in some embodiments it may bepossible for the tube 32 to have bends or curves provided that itsinterior dimensions and angles permit a reasonably efficient transfer ofsound in the voice range down the pathway 34 of the tube 32. The end ofthe tube 32 at the casing may be sealed to the casing.

In some embodiments the acoustic shield 30 includes a cavity portion 36sized to fit within the ESD shield 14 and substantially surround themicrophone 12. It will be appreciated that the cavity portion 36 doesnot pass underneath the microphone 12 where the microphone 12 isattached to the circuit board 16, but rather fits on top of themicrophone 12. The interior of the cavity portion 36 is dimensioned sothat the tube resonance is above the audio band used in telephony.

The interior of the cavity portion 36 is in sealed communication withthe pathway 34 of the tube 32 to permit sound transfer down the pathway34 to the interior of the cavity portion 36 and, thus, the microphone12. The cavity portion 36 may otherwise have a sidewall 38 and top wall40 that substantially surrounds the microphone 12.

Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate the range ofsuitable materials that may be employed to create the acoustic shield30.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 to 5, the antenna 10 includes a radiator arm50 and a feed element 52. The radiator arm 50 is, in this embodiment, ametal planar element. The radiator arm 50 may, in some embodiments, beformed integrally with the ESD shield 14. In this particular embodiment,the radiator arm 50 lies in the same plane as the top section 20 of theESD shield 14. The feed element 52 is a metal element connected toapproximately the opposite side of the top section 20 from the radiatorarm 50. The feed element 52 extends down to the circuit board 16 orother substrate where it connects to a signal trace or other circuitelement through which it may electrically conduct received ortransmitted signals. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the feedelement 52 extends downwards at an acute angle; however, in otherembodiments it may extend downwards perpendicular to the top section 20.

The radiator arm 50 may be arranged to extend partly or wholly above theacoustic tube 32 (FIG. 5). In some embodiments the radiator arm 50 maybe wider, thinner or the same width as the acoustic tube 32. In someembodiments the radiator arm 50 is the same or shorter than the lengthof the acoustic tube 32. The length and width of the radiator arm 50 areselected in conjunction with the dimensions of the top section 20 andthe feed element 52 to give the antenna 10 the desired RF properties.The length and width of the radiator arm 50 may be selected so as tofrequency tune the antenna 10.

The radiator arm 50, ESD shield 14, and feed element 52 are, in oneembodiment, formed from a metal stamping process.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 6, which shows a block diagram of theantenna 10. The antenna 10 is formed from the radiator arm 50, thegrounded ESD shield 14, and feed element 52. The ESD shield 14, inparticular the top section 20, serves as a shorted element of theantenna 10. Either one of the sides 22, 24 of the ESD shield 14 or bothsides 22, 24 may be connected to ground. The feed element 52 isconnected to a signal trace or circuit element connected to a matchingblock 60. The matching circuit 60 is configured to impedance match withthe antenna 10, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thematching circuit 60 may, in some embodiments, be implemented usingintegrated passive devices (IPDs).

The feed element 52 is coupled to a signal source 62 through thematching circuit 60. The signal source 62 is configured to drive theantenna 10 at one or more frequencies to which the antenna 10 is tuned.Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate the range of circuitelements and variations on configuration for using an RF antenna such asthe antenna 10 for sending or receiving RF signals.

It will be appreciated that the antenna 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and in FIGS.1-4 is configured as an Inverted-F antenna. In other embodiments othermicrostrip antennas may be implemented. It will be understood that theantenna 10 discussed herein is an example only. Other embodiments ofantennas integrated with the ESD shield of a microphone may includemultiple feed points, multiple shorting elements, slots, or parasiticelements. It will also be understood that the radiator arm 50 may, insome embodiments, be folded and/or non-planar. For example, the radiatorarm 50 may be arranged as a folded three-dimensional structure. In oneembodiment, the radiator arm 50 may have elements arranged along one ormore of the sides of the acoustic tube 32.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 7 through 11, which illustrate otherexample embodiments of the antenna 10.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the antenna 10 witha non-cylindrical ESD shield 114. In this embodiment, the ESD shield 114is rectangular. In other embodiments, the ESD shield 114 may be arrangedin other shapes.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the antenna 10 withan ESD shield 314 having the same width as the radiator arm 50. In thisembodiment, the top section 320 of the ESD shield 314 has the same widthas the radiator arm and is generally rectangular in shape. The sides322, 324 of the ESD shield 314 extend downwards from the top section 320and the acoustic opening or port 326 occupies the entire front of theESD shield 314.

FIG. 9 shows a right front perspective view of yet another embodiment ofthe antenna 10. In this embodiment, the ESD shield 14 is cylindrical,like in FIGS. 1-4; however, the feed element 152 in this embodimentextends perpendicular to the top portion 20. Gaps 154, 156 between thefeed element 152 and the sides of the ESD shield 14 prevent the feedelement 152 from being shorted out in this embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the antenna 10 of FIGS. 1-4arranged together with the acoustic tube 32 of FIG. 5. The acoustic tube32 is shown in dashed lines for ease of illustration. In thisembodiment, the radiator arm 52 substantially covers the top of theacoustic tube 32 and has nearly the same length as the acoustic tube 32.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the antenna 10 together with theacoustic tube 32. In this embodiment, the radiator arm 150 is formed asa folded three-dimensional structure. The radiator arm 50 featuresportions on the top of the acoustic tube 32 and interconnecting portionson one or more of the sides of the acoustic tube 32, so as to form awinding or switchback pattern in three-dimensions.

In the foregoing embodiments, the radiator arm 50 is shown lying in thesame plane as the top section 20 of the ESD shield 14. In otherembodiments, the radiator arm 50 may extend in a different plane fromthe top section 20. As noted in connection with FIG. 11, the radiatorarm 50 may have a three-dimensional shape. In addition, although the topsection 20 is illustrated as being planar in many of the embodiments, insome embodiments the top section 20 may not be planar.

Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciated that the foregoingembodiments are examples only and that many other configurations orshapes may be used to form the ESD shield, radiator arm, and/or feedelement of the antenna, depending on the application desired.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which shows an example embodiment of amobile communication device 201 which may incorporate the antenna 10described herein. The mobile communication device 201 is a two-waycommunication device having voice and possibly data communicationcapabilities; for example, the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems, e.g., via the Internet. Depending on the functionalityprovided by the mobile communication device 201, in various embodimentsthe device may be a multiple-mode communication device configured forboth data and voice communication, a smartphone, a mobile telephone or aPDA (personal digital assistant) enabled for wireless communication, ora computer system with a wireless modem.

The mobile communication device 201 includes a controller comprising atleast one processor 240 such as a microprocessor which controls theoverall operation of the mobile communication device 201, and a wirelesscommunication subsystem 211 for exchanging radio frequency signals withthe wireless network 101. The processor 240 interacts with thecommunication subsystem 211 which performs communication functions. Theprocessor 240 interacts with additional device subsystems. In someembodiments, the device 201 may include a touchscreen display 210 whichincludes a display (screen) 204, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD)screen, with a touch-sensitive input surface or overlay 206 connected toan electronic controller 208. The touch-sensitive overlay 206 and theelectronic controller 208 provide a touch-sensitive input device and theprocessor 240 interacts with the touch-sensitive overlay 206 via theelectronic controller 208. In other embodiments, the display 204 may notbe a touchscreen display. Instead, the device 201 may simply include anon-touch display and one or more input mechanisms, such as, forexample, a depressible scroll wheel.

The processor 240 interacts with additional device subsystems includingflash memory 244, random access memory (RAM) 246, read only memory (ROM)248, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 250, data port 252 such asserial data port, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) data port,speaker 256, microphone 258, input mechanism 260, switch 261,short-range communication subsystem 272, and other device subsystemsgenerally designated as 274. Some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 12perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems mayprovide “resident” or on-device functions.

The communication subsystem 211 may include a receiver, a transmitter,and associated components, such as one or more antenna elements 10,local oscillators (LOs), and a processing module such as a digitalsignal processor (DSP). The antenna 10 may be embedded or internal tothe mobile communication device 201 and a single antenna may be sharedby both receiver and transmitter, as is known in the art. As will beapparent to those skilled in the field of communication, the particulardesign of the communication subsystem 211 depends on the wirelessnetwork 101 in which the mobile communication device 201 is intended tooperate. As described above, the antenna 10 may be formed integral withthe microphone 258 ESD protection.

The mobile communication device 201 may communicate with any one of aplurality of fixed transceiver base stations of a wireless network 101within its geographic coverage area. The mobile communication device 201may send and receive communication signals over the wireless network 101after a network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted. Signals received by the antenna 10 through the wirelessnetwork 101 are input to the receiver, which may perform such commonreceiver functions as signal amplification, frequency down conversion,filtering, channel selection, etc., as well as analog-to-digital (A/D)conversion. A/D conversion of a received signal allows more complexcommunication functions such as demodulation and decoding to beperformed in the DSP. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted areprocessed, including modulation and encoding, for example, by the DSP.These DSP-processed signals are input to the transmitter fordigital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering,amplification, and transmission to the wireless network 101 via theantenna 10.

The processor 240 operates under stored program control and executessoftware modules 220 stored in memory such as persistent memory, forexample, in the flash memory 244. As illustrated in FIG. 12, thesoftware modules 220 comprise operating system software 222 and softwareapplications 224.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the software modules 220or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into volatile memory such asthe RAM 246. The RAM 246 is used for storing runtime data variables andother types of data or information, as will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Although specific functions are described for various typesof memory, this is merely one example, and those skilled in the art willappreciate that a different assignment of functions to types of memorycould also be used.

The software applications 224 may include a range of other applications,including, for example, a messaging application, a calendar application,and/or a notepad application. In some embodiments, the softwareapplications 224 include an email message application, a push contentviewing application, a voice communication (i.e. telephony) application,a map application, and a media player application. Each of the softwareapplications 224 may include layout information defining the placementof particular fields and graphic elements (e.g. text fields, inputfields, icons, etc.) in the user interface (i.e. the display device 204)according to the application.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 250 maycomprise an external communication link or interface, for example, anEthernet connection. The mobile communication device 201 may compriseother wireless communication interfaces for communicating with othertypes of wireless networks, for example, a wireless network such as anorthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) network or a GPStransceiver for communicating with a GPS satellite network (not shown).The auxiliary I/O subsystems 250 may comprise a vibrator for providingvibratory notifications in response to various events on the mobilecommunication device 201 such as receipt of an electronic communicationor incoming phone call, or for other purposes such as haptic feedback(touch feedback).

In some embodiments, the mobile communication device 201 also includes aremovable memory card 230 (typically comprising flash memory) and amemory card interface 232. Network access may be associated with asubscriber or user of the mobile communication device 201 via the memorycard 230, which may be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card for usein a GSM network or other type of memory card for use in the relevantwireless network type. The memory card 230 is inserted in or connectedto the memory card interface 232 of the mobile communication device 201in order to operate in conjunction with the wireless network 101.

The mobile communication device 201 stores data 240 in an erasablepersistent memory, which in one example embodiment is the flash memory244. In various embodiments, the data 240 includes service datacomprising information required by the mobile communication device 201to establish and maintain communication with the wireless network 101.The data 240 may also include user application data such as emailmessages, address book and contact information, calendar and scheduleinformation, notepad documents, image files, and other commonly storeduser information stored on the mobile communication device 201 by itsuser, and other data. The data 240 stored in the persistent memory (e.g.flash memory 244) of the mobile communication device 201 may beorganized, at least partially, into a number of databases eachcontaining data items of the same data type or associated with the sameapplication.

The serial data port 252 may be used for synchronization with a user'shost computer system (not shown). The serial data port 252 enables auser to set preferences through an external device or softwareapplication and extends the capabilities of the mobile communicationdevice 201 by providing for information or software downloads to themobile communication device 201 other than through the wireless network101. The alternate download path may, for example, be used to load anencryption key onto the mobile communication device 201 through adirect, reliable and trusted connection to thereby provide secure devicecommunication.

In some embodiments, the mobile communication device 201 is providedwith a service routing application programming interface (API) whichprovides an application with the ability to route traffic through aserial data (i.e., USB) or Bluetooth® (Bluetooth® is a registeredtrademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) connection to the host computer systemusing standard connectivity protocols. When a user connects their mobilecommunication device 201 to the host computer system via a USB cable orBluetooth® connection, traffic that was destined for the wirelessnetwork 101 is automatically routed to the mobile communication device201 using the USB cable or Bluetooth® connection. Similarly, any trafficdestined for the wireless network 101 is automatically sent over the USBcable Bluetooth® connection to the host computer system for processing.

The mobile communication device 201 also includes a battery 238 as apower source, which is typically one or more rechargeable batteries thatmay be charged, for example, through charging circuitry coupled to abattery interface such as the serial data port 252. The battery 238provides electrical power to at least some of the electrical circuitryin the mobile communication device 201, and the battery interface 236provides a mechanical and electrical connection for the battery 238. Thebattery interface 236 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) whichprovides power V+ to the circuitry of the mobile communication device201.

The short-range communication subsystem 272 is an additional optionalcomponent which provides for communication between the mobilecommunication device 201 and different systems or devices, which neednot necessarily be similar devices. For example, the subsystem 272 mayinclude an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or awireless bus protocol compliant communication mechanism such as aBluetooth® communication module to provide for communication withsimilarly-enabled systems and devices.

A predetermined set of applications that control basic deviceoperations, including data and possibly voice communication applicationswill normally be installed on the mobile communication device 201 duringor after manufacture. Additional applications and/or upgrades to theoperating system 221 or software applications 224 may also be loadedonto the mobile communication device 201 through the wireless network101, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 250, the serial port 252, theshort-range communication subsystem 272, or other suitable subsystem 274other wireless communication interfaces. The downloaded programs or codemodules may be permanently installed, for example, written into theprogram memory (i.e. the flash memory 244), or written into and executedfrom the RAM 246 for execution by the processor 240 at runtime. Suchflexibility in application installation increases the functionality ofthe mobile communication device 201 and may provide enhanced on-devicefunctions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, securecommunication applications may enable electronic commerce functions andother such financial transactions to be performed using the mobilecommunication device 201.

Although in this embodiment, it is the communication subsystem 211 thatemploys the antenna 10 integrated with the microphone 258 ESDprotection, in other embodiments a different communication system withinthe mobile device 201 may use an antenna integrated with the microphone258 ESD protection, such as a GPS system, or the short-rangecommunication subsystem 272.

The wireless network 101 may comprise one or more of a Wireless WideArea Network (WWAN) and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or othersuitable network arrangements. In some embodiments, the mobilecommunication device 201 is configured to communicate over both the WWANand WLAN, and to roam between these networks. In some embodiments, thewireless network 101 may comprise multiple WWANs and WLANs. In someembodiments, the mobile device 201 includes the communication subsystem211 for WWAN communications and a separate communication subsystem forWLAN communications. In most embodiments, communications with the WLANemploy a different antenna than communications with the WWAN.Accordingly, the antenna 10 may be configured for WWAN communications orWLAN communications depending on the embodiment and desired application.

In some embodiments, the WWAN conforms to one or more of the followingwireless network types: Mobitex Radio Network, DataTAC, GSM (GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication), GPRS (General Packet Radio System),TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), CDMA (Code Division MultipleAccess), CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data), iDEN (integrated DigitalEnhanced Network), EvDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) CDMA2000, EDGE(Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), UMTS (Universal MobileTelecommunication Systems), HSPDA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access),IEEE 802.16e (also referred to as Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access or “WiMAX), or various other networks. Although WWAN isdescribed as a “Wide-Area” network, that term is intended herein also toincorporate wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN) and other similartechnologies for providing coordinated service wirelessly over an arealarger than that covered by typical WLANs.

The WLAN comprises a wireless network which, in some embodiments,conforms to IEEE 802.11x standards (sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi) suchas, for example, the IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b and/or 802.11g standard.Other communication protocols may be used for the WLAN in otherembodiments such as, for example, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.16e (alsoreferred to as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or“WiMAX”), or IEEE 802.20 (also referred to as Mobile Wireless BroadbandAccess). The WLAN includes one or more wireless RF Access Points (AP)that collectively provide a WLAN coverage area.

Certain adaptations and modifications of the described embodiments canbe made. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to beillustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication device comprising: asubstrate having a ground plane and an antenna signal trace; amicrophone mounted to the substrate; a metallic shield disposed over themicrophone and being connected to the ground plane; and a radiofrequency antenna formed in part from the metallic shield and having atleast one radiator arm connected to the metallic shield; and anon-metallic acoustic tube disposed at least partly under the radiatorarm, wherein the antenna includes a feed point connected to the antennasignal trace.
 2. The mobile communication device of claim 1 furtherincluding a device casing, the device casing having an acoustic openingand wherein the non-metallic acoustic tube defines an acoustic pathwaybetween the acoustic opening and the microphone.
 3. The mobilecommunication device of claim 1 wherein the metallic shield includes atop section and wherein the at least one radiator arm is connected tothe top section.
 4. The mobile communication device of claim 3 whereinthe at least one radiator arm includes a planar metal element having oneend connected to the top section.
 5. The mobile communication device ofclaim 4 wherein the planar metal element and the top section lie in thesame plane.
 6. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein theantenna includes a feed element having one end connected to the topsection and another end connected to the antenna signal trace.
 7. Themobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the antenna includes afeed element having one end connected to the metallic shield and anotherend connected to the antenna signal trace.
 8. The mobile communicationdevice of claim 1 wherein the metallic shield includes a planar topsection disposed substantially parallel to the substrate and spacedabove the microphone and wherein the metallic shield includes at leasttwo side walls extending downwards from the edges of the planar topsection and wherein at least one of the side walls is connected to theground plane.
 9. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein theside walls define an acoustic port through which the microphone isexposed to the environment external to the device.
 10. The mobilecommunication device of claim 9 further including a non-metallicacoustic shield within the metallic shield and over the microphone andwherein the non-metallic acoustic shield includes the acoustic tube. 11.The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the substratecomprises a printed circuit board.
 12. The mobile communications deviceof claim 1 wherein the radiator arm comprises a folded three-dimensionalstructure.
 13. The mobile communications device of claim 12 wherein theacoustic tube has a top and a side and wherein the radiator armincludes: a plurality of portions on the top of the acoustic tube; and aportion on the side of the acoustic tube interconnecting the pluralityof portions on the top of the acoustic tube.
 14. A mobile communicationsdevice comprising: a device casing having an acoustic microphoneopening; a substrate within the device casing, the substrate having anelectrical ground and a signal trace; a microphone mounted to thesubstrate; an electrostatic discharge shield disposed over themicrophone and connected to the electrical ground, the electrostaticdischarge shield defining an acoustic port; an antenna having: aradiator arm integrally formed with the electrostatic discharge shield;and a feed element connected to the electrostatic discharge shield andto the signal trace; a non-metallic acoustic tube disposed at leastpartly under the radiator arm and acoustic port.
 15. The mobilecommunications device of claim 14 wherein the acoustic port is locatedbelow the radiator arm and wherein the non-metallic acoustic tubedefines an acoustic pathway between the acoustic microphone opening andthe acoustic port.
 16. The mobile communications device of claim 14wherein the microphone comprises an electret condenser microphone. 17.The mobile communications device of claim 14 wherein the electrostaticdischarge shield is cylindrical and includes a substantially circularplanar top portion.
 18. The mobile communications device of claim 14wherein the feed element and the electrostatic discharge shield areintegrally formed.
 19. The mobile communications device of claim 18wherein the radiator arm, the feed element, and the electrostaticdischarge shield are formed from a single metal sheet in a stampingprocess.
 20. The mobile communications device of claim 14 wherein theradiator arm comprises a folded three-dimensional structure.
 21. Themobile communications device of claim 20 wherein the acoustic tube has atop and a side and wherein the radiator arm includes: a plurality ofportions on the top of the acoustic tube; and a portion on the side ofthe acoustic tube interconnecting the plurality of portions on the topof the acoustic tube.